Chamber and committees

Student loans are available to eligible students aged 50-54 who wish to retrain in order to enhance their employment prospects. Students aged over 54 are not eligible for loans because it is unlikely that they would be able to repay the loan, and many will have other resources on which to rely.

From academic year 2000-01 eligible Scottish domiciled students in the over-50 age group will not have to pay tuition fees if they are studying in Scotland. The detail of the new scheme of support to be introduced in 2001-02 is under consideration and we will consult on our proposals.

All eligible students, irrespective of age, can apply for financial help from the Access Funds. These funds are intended to offer help to those who face particular financial difficulties in pursuing their courses or whose access to higher education might be prevented by financial difficulties.

Yes.

Approaches to the European Commission are generally conducted through MAFF after consultation, where appropriate, with the devolved agriculture departments in the UK. Accordingly, the Scottish Executive has not separately received any communication from Franz Fischler on whether compensation for the pig industry would breach European rules on the state aid.UK Government officials have explored the possibility of a pig offal disposal scheme with the European Commission. In principle, Community rules might permit the payment of state aid in this area but there appears to be limited scope to frame a sensible and worthwhile scheme which satisfies the strict EU guidelines and meets the requirements of the industry. The Commission will certainly not sanction any scheme which fails to meet the rules; and we could not contemplate paying an illegal aid. The rules preclude the payment of operating aids, i.e. subsidies that are simply aimed at improving producers' position in the market.

Agri-environment stock disposal payments of up to £485,000 may have been made to farming and crofting participants in the Environmentally Sensitive Area Scheme, Countryside Premium Scheme and Heather Moorland Scheme who were continuing to claim Sheep Annual Premium using quota rights which ought to have been frozen. I have already announced that I am not minded to recover the double payments, but the decision will ultimately rest on EC State Aid approval. Entitlement to future stock disposal payments will depend on whether producers opt to continue with the agri-environment stock disposal option. Those who choose this option will have frozen a number of quota rights equivalent to the number of animals for which they will receive headage payments under the agri-environment schemes.

The National Waste Strategy: Scotland promotes the reduction, re-use and recycling of waste. We have adopted the strategy and the Scottish Executive are attempting to lead by example. For instance, the Executive purchases 100% recycled paper wherever possible and recycles paper when it is of no further use.The Landfill Tax discourages landfill and promotes reduction, re-use and recycling of waste.Regulations are in place to implement the EC Packaging Waste Directive ensuring that at least 50% of packaging waste is recycled by 2001. These regulations should mean that more recycled material will find its way back to consumers.The REMADE project aims to identify and develop markets for recycled materials. Part of the project involves work to change standards which demand unnecessary use of virgin materials.It is clear that many people are not aware of the impact of the waste they produce. We are looking at ways of raising awareness of waste amongst the general public and promotion of recycling would be a key element of any action taken.

I refer Mr Fergusson to my answer to question S1W-3757.

I refer Mr Fergusson to my answer to question S1W-3757.

I refer Mr Fergusson to my answer to question S1W-3757.We are working in partnership with CoSLA, SEPA and others to try to identify the full financial implications of the strategy. These will have to be carefully considered as part of the Executive's Spending Review this year.

The Deputy Minister's officials have consulted my officials.

Variations in reported survival figures may be due in part to known differences in the way cancer registration data are collected in other countries. However, research tends to suggest that some of the difference must be due to late presentation by individuals to seek a medical opinion once symptoms suggestive of lung cancer appear.

The association between smoking and lung cancer is well known. By encouraging people to stop smoking - or not to start smoking - we are aiming to stop people contracting lung cancer in the first place. For those people who do develop lung cancer it is imperative that they seek medical advice as soon as any symptoms suggestive of the disease appear.The Scottish Executive is committed to reducing deaths from all cancers by 20% by 2010 (against the 1995 baseline). To meet that target it is necessary to look at early presentation and promoting better health by raising awareness of the benefits of improved diet and otherwise healthier lifestyles on which major initiatives are currently underway. The emerging managed cancer clinical networks, comprising specialists and clinicians from all disciplines working together to ensure that everyone has access to the best quality of care possible, will provide the focus for continuous improvements in care underpinned by prospective clinical audit. Arrangements are in hand to establish these networks across the country, the first phase of which is concentrating on lung cancer (as well as breast, colorectal and gynaecological cancers).